BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY: Salukis vary in type and the variation is desired and typical for the breed. The reason for the variation is the special place held by the Saluki in the Arab tradition and the immense size of the Middle East area where the Saluki has been used as a hound of the chase for thousand of years. Originally each tribe had Salukis best suited for hunting the particular game in its own area, but by Middle East tradition, Salukis are not bought or sold but presented as marks of honour. It follows that those presented as such to Europeans and brought to Europe came from a wide variation of terrain and climate and vary accordingly. The British 1923 standard was the first official European breed standard for the Saluki and was drawn up to cover all these original types of Saluki.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The whole appearance of this breed should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity.
Smooth variety: the points should be the same with the exception of the coat which has no feathering.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the body (from the point of shoulder to point of buttock) is approximately equal to the height at the withers, although the dog often gives the impression of being longer than he really is.
TEMPERAMENT
BEHAVIOUR TEMPERAMENT: Reserved with strangers, but not nervous or aggressive. Dignified, intelligent and independent.
HEAD
HEAD: Long and narrow, the whole showing nobility.
CRANIAL REGION:
Skull: Moderately wide between ears, not domed
Stop: not pronounced.
FACIAL REGION:
Nose: Black or liver brown.
EYES:
Dark to hazel and bright, large and oval, but not prominent. The expression should be dignified and gentle with faithful and far-seeing eyes
EARS:
Long and covered with long silky hair, set on high, mobile, hanging close to the skull
MOUTH:
Teeth and jaws are strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite
NECK:
Long, supple and well muscled
BODY:
The length of the body (from the point of shoulder to point of buttock) is approximately equal to the height at the withers, although the dog often gives the impression of being longer than he really is.
Back: Fairly broad
Loin: Slightly arched and well muscled
Croup: Hipbones set wide apart
Chest: Deep, long and moderately narrow. Neither barrel ribbed nor slab sided
Underline: Well tucked up
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders: well laid back, well muscled without being coarse
Upper Arm: Approximately equal in length to the shoulder blade and forming a good angle with it.
Forearm: Long and straight from elbow to wrist
Pasterns: Strong and flexible, slightly sloping
Front Feet: Feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple; feathered between the toes.
HINDQUARTERS
Strong, showing galloping and jumping power.
Upper and lower thighs: well developed.
Stifle: moderately bent.
Hocks: well let down.
Hind feet: Similar to front feet.
FEET:
Feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched, not splayed, but at the same time not cat-footed; the whole being strong and supple; feathered between the toes.
GAIT / MOVEMENT:
Smooth, flowing and effortless at trot. Light and lifting showing both reach and drive without hackney action or pounding.
TAIL:
Long, set on low and carried naturally in a curve, well feathered on the underside with long silky hair, not bushy. In adults not carried above the topline. Tip reching at least to the point of the hock.
COAT:
Smooth and of a soft, silky texture, feathering on the legs and at the back of thighs, feathering may be present on the throat in adults, puppies may have slight woolly feather on thighs and shoulders.
The smooth variety has no feathering.
COLOUR:
Any colour or combination of colours is permissible. Brindles are undesirable.
SIZE:
Height at whiters: Average between 58 - 71 cm (23 - 28 inches), bitches proportionally smaller
FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree
NOTE:
Males should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum